Fablehaven Oneshots

But I'm a Cheerleader

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Set after
Keys to the Demon Prison
(No Dragonwatch)
⟢ Kendra/Alyssa ⟣
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While Alyssa takes care of Kendra, Kendra discovers she's more than sick—she's lovesick.

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Alyssa hadn't planned on trying out for competitive cheerleading. She wasn't much of a cheerleader, really, except for a brief stint in middle school. The hand motions were familiar to her and the silly names ("Candlesticks" "Daggers" "Buckets") were stuck to her brain like glue.

So, it wasn't that far-fetched that she put her name on the sign-up sheet.

"Yeah, I put my name on it."

The mashed potatoes slurped off the serving spoon as Alyssa confirmed her mother's question.

"You did? You were so against it the other day."

"Well, I changed my mind." Her spoon carved a smiley face in the starch. "My friends are going to try out."

"Okay. Well, as long as it doesn't interfere with soccer."

"It won't."

That night, as car headlights danced aurora borealis on the ceiling, Alyssa scrolled through her phone. A notification diverted her attention from a random image. Kendra is typing...

Alyssa grinned and swiped over to Snapchat. Red squares lined her messages, but Alyssa clicked on the one that mattered.

You signed up??

Yeah, Alyssa typed.

Cant wait to see you in the uniform!!!

Alyssa let a smile spread across her face. Assuming I make it

Oh come on ofc you will. Cya tomorrow

Cya

It was the confidence instilled by Kendra's messages that Alyssa held as she walked into the tryouts. Her bow stood on top of her head and the white shirt hung off her frame.

Kendra ran up to her with a smile and tugged her to the grass. The stretches Kendra showed her were simple but the next three days were not.

It was much more than the hand motions. There was a cheer, sure, but also a dance that Alyssa spent hours in front of her bathroom mirror perfecting. Four videos to Kendra and a bunch of compliment criticism sandwiches later, and she was a pro.

Until the stunting.

Oh boy, the stunting. It was stressful and hard and Alyssa had very much wanted to go home.

However, Kendra had her back. And her ankles. And her butt. And any other body part Kendra could grab to make Alyssa fly right.

Kendra was a great backspot.

"I'm going to hold your seat and ankle and then propel you upward." Kendra imitated the motion. "Then once you feel the upward motion, stand and lift up."

"What do you mean lift up?"

"Shrug your shoulders up and take a breath through your belly and keep it in your chest. And pinch your butt like you have a penny in there."

Alyssa felt frustrated tears prick at her eyes as the instructions seemed more to get more and more vague. "Yeah, like this?"

Her weight shifted upwards as she did the instructions.

"Yeah, I knew you got it!" Kendra put her hand on Alyssa's shoulder. "Now, make sure to keep your feet flat and eyes forward. And don't be worried about falling, I'll catch you."